ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 74.25 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 4.62 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTswith more than 1.8 Crore doses in Pipeline
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccinemanufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
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VACCINE DOSES
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SUPPLIED
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74,25,94,875
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PIPELINE
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1,80,83,000
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BALANCE AVAILABLE
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4,62,75,955
More than 74.25crore vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt of India  and through direct state procurement category.Further, more than1.8 Crore doses  are in the pipeline.
More than4.62Cr balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot Flags off “17th Run against Drug Abuse”on International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment flagged off “17th Run Against Drug Abuse” on the occasion of “International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking” at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi today. Ministers of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, Shri Ramdas Athawale, Shri Rattan Lal Kataria, Secretary, M/o SJ&E Smt. Nilam Sawhney and other dignitaries were present. The dignitaries led the ‘Symbolic Walk’ with Band display. A demo cultural show was organised and certificates prizes and awards of appreciation were distributed to the participants on the occasion.
This annual event “Run Against Drug Abuse” to observe the “International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking” is being held successfully for past 16 years. It is coordinated by Dr. Sunita Godara  under the aegis of M/o Social Justice & Empowerment Govt of India. The Nodal Agencies NISD, Narcotics Control Bureau, Directorate of Prohibition, Govt of Delhi, with the other Stake holders UN agencies and corporate partners like ONGC, GAIL, Indian Oil, IGL, Petronet, NDMC, ITS, LPU have been supporting the event all these years.
The event proved to be of great value for awareness on drug abuse. Marking the World Drug Day on 26th June, 2019 to raise awareness about drugs; ‘Listen First’ is chosen as an initiative theme now to increase support for prevention of drug use that is based on science and is thus an effective investment in the well being of children and youth, their families and their communities . Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them to grow healthy and safe. The event has great support from all Para Military Forces, Police, Running Clubs, Team Leaders, Schools, Colleges & NGOs with the maximum no of participation.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Under PM-KISAN Scheme Rs. 17,793 crores released for 8.89 crore farmer families during the lockdown
About 19.50 crores households to be distributed pulses under PMGKY
The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Government of India is taking several measures to facilitate the farmers and farming activities at field level during the lockdown period. The updated status is given below:
- Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi  Scheme during the lockdown period from 24.3.2020 till date, about 8.89 crore farmer families have been benefitted and an amount of Rs. 17,793 crore has been released so far.
- In order to provide food security during the prevailing situation due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Government has decided to distribute pulses to the eligible households under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana . About 107,077.85 MT pulses have so far been issued to the States/UTs.
- Under PMGKY, the States/UTs namely A&N, Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Daman & Diu, Goa, Gujarat have commenced the distribution of pulses to the beneficiaries. Other States like Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi have received the partial stock and will commence the distribution to the beneficiaries in phased manner as per their plan.
- The distribution of pulses under PMGKY is to benefit around 19.50 crore household spread across 36 States and Union territories.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Citizenship to refugees from Afghanistan and Pakistan
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai, in a written reply to a question regarding citizenship to refugees from Afghanistan and Pakistan, in Rajya Sabha today, said that 391 Afghani and 1595 Pakistani migrants have been granted Indian Citizenship during last three years . He added that in 2019, 40 Afghani and 712 Pakistani migrants have been granted Indian Citizenship till 6th December 2019.
Shri Rai noted that provision for capturing online the citizenship data of migrants from minority communities namely - Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian - hailing from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh was introduced in 2018 and as per available data, 927 Sikhs and Hindus from Afghanistan and Pakistan have been granted Indian Citizenship since then.
Prime Minister's Office
PM salutes Nari Shakti on International Women's Day
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has saluted the indomitable Nari Shakti on International Women's Day.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "Saluting our indomitable #NariShakti on International Women's Day! India takes pride in the many accomplishments of the women of our nation. It is our Government’s honour to be getting the opportunity to work towards furthering women empowerment across a wide range of sectors."
Department of Space
Setting Up of Rocket Launching Pad in Tamil Nadu
Government has proposal to set up rocket launching pad near Kulasekarapattinam in the State of Tamil Nadu.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State  Development of North-Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Low carbon bricks developed using construction and demolition waste for energy-efficient walling envelopes
Researchers have developed a technology to produce energy-efficient walling materials using construction and demolition  waste and alkali-activated binders. These are called low-C bricks, do not require high-temperature firing, and avoid the use of high-energy materials such as Portland cement. The technology will also solve the disposal problems associated with C&D waste mitigation.
Conventionally, building envelopes consist of masonry walls built with burnt clay bricks, concrete blocks, hollow clay blocks, fly ash bricks, lightweight blocks, and so on. The envelopes spend energy during their production, thus incurring carbon emission  consume mined raw material resources which lead to unsustainable constructions. The masonry units are manufactured either through the process of firing or using high-energy/embodied carbon binders such as Portland cement. As a result, the annual consumption of bricks and blocks in India is about 900 million tonnes. Besides, the construction industry generates vast amounts  of construction and demolition waste . In order to promote sustainable construction, two important issues need to be addressed while manufacturing the masonry units – conserving mined raw material resources and emission reduction.
Moving towards this target, scientists of the Indian Institute of Science  developed a technology for producing alkali-activated bricks/blocks by utilising fly ash and furnace slag. The team of researchers developed low embodied carbon bricks from CDW waste through an alkali activation process using fly ash and ground slag and characterising the thermal, structural, and durability characteristics of Low-C bricks and their masonry. After ascertaining the Physico-chemical and compaction characteristics of the CDW, the optimum mix ratios of the materials were obtained, and then the production process was evolved to produce low-C bricks. Based on the optimum binder proportions, the compressed bricks were manufactured. The bricks were examined for engineering characteristics.
The major beneficiary of this development undertaken by IISc Bangalore with funding from the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, is the construction industry in general and the building sector in particular. This technology will also mitigate the disposal problems associated with the C&D wastes.
“A start-up has been registered which will be functional within 6-9 months to manufacture low-C bricks and blocks with IISc technical help. The start-up unit will act as a technology dissemination unit through training, capacity building, and providing technical know-how for establishing such commercial units across India,” remarked Prof. B V Venkatarama Reddy, IISc Bangalore.
For more details, contact Prof. B V Venkatarama Reddy, IISc Bangalore 
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SNC/PK/RR
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Ministry of Commerce & Industry
ECGC appointed as the Nodal Agency by the Ministry of MSME for implementing Capacity Building of First Time MSE Exporters  component of the International Cooperation  Scheme
Mumbai : 20 September 2022
The Ministry of MSME has launched a scheme for the Micro and Small Enterprises  to promote their products in the international markets through incentives at various stages of the business cycle. The Ministry has appointed Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India  as the implementing agency for the ‘Capacity Building of First Time MSE Exporters’  component of International Cooperation  Scheme.
An MoU was signed between the Ministry of MSME and ECGC Ltd. today on 20.09.2022 at New Delhi, in the presence of Shri B. B. Swain, IAS, Secretary, MSME, Government of India. Under the MOU, the export credit insurance premium paid by the MSE exporters, holding the ECGC Small Exporter’s Policy, will now be eligible for reimbursement from the Ministry of MSME.
The grant under the scheme will be released to ECGC on reimbursement basis by the Ministry of MSME, on submission of the reimbursement claim in the proforma accompanied by the documents as prescribed by the Ministry. The amount received from the Ministry of MSME, will then be transferred by ECGC to the beneficiaries. The maximum reimbursement to an exporter in a financial year will be Rs. 10,000/- or actual, whichever is lower.
The eligibility criteria for availing the benefits under the Scheme are:
- Micro and Small Enterprise  with valid Udyam Registration
- Import Export Code No. of the MSE must not be older than 3 years on the date of export shipment
- Proof of premium payment.
The above scheme is applicable to the MSE exporters engaged in the Manufacturing Sector.
About ECGC
ECGC Limited, a premier Export Credit Agency  of the Government of India, was established in 1957 under the Companies Act to provide export credit insurance services to exporters and banks on a ‘’no-profit no-loss” basis to promote and support exports from India. The Company functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Source ECGC
CP/PM
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Ministry of Law and Justice
Virtual Courts
The decision to follow the virtual mode of court hearing is a matter which falls strictly under the purview of the judiciary and the Central Government has no role to play in this matter. Since Covid lockdown started, the District Courts heard 1,23,19,917 cases while the High Courts heard 61,02,859 cases  till 28.02.2022 using Video-Conferencing . The Supreme Court held 2,18,891 hearings till 14.03.2022 since the beginning of lockdown period making it the world leader in virtual hearings. To bring about uniformity and standardization in the conduct of VC, an overarching order was passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India on 6th April 2020 which gave legal sanctity and validity to the court hearings done through VC. Further, VC rules were framed by a 5-judge committee which was circulated to all the High Courts for adoption after local contextualization. 24 High Courts have implemented Video Conferencing rules. One video conference equipment each has been provided to all Court Complexes including taluk level courts and additionally funds have been sanctioned for additional VC equipment for 14,443 court rooms. Funds for setting up 2506 VC Cabins have been made available. Additional 1500 VC Licenses have been acquired. VC facilities are already enabled between 3240 court complexes and corresponding 1272 jails. A sum of Rs. 7.60 crore has been released for procurement of 1732 Document Visualizers. Lack of access to computers, laptops and digital hardware amongst lawyers in rural areas and resultant digital divide is a genuine problem. To overcome this problem of digital divide, 493 number of eSewa Kendras have been setup in High Courts and district courts across the country which give lawyers easy access to e-Court facilities and internet facility.
To resolve technical glitches which arise during VC hearings, NIC has been closely monitoring the complaints. NIC has developed a VC software which is under test phase. MeitY  has also undertaken an exercise to develop indigenous VC software. Regular coordination meetings are held with BSNL to resolve issues regarding connectivity. Also, a portal to lodge complaints regarding connectivity & bandwidth related issues has been developed for monitoring and faster resolution of such complaints.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Law and Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister's participation in the BRICS Business Forum Leaders’ Dialogue
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the BRICS Business Forum Leaders’ Dialogue in Johannesburg on 22 August 2023.
The Leaders were briefed on the deliberations of the BRICS Business Forum.
Prime Minister highlighted the various reforms being undertaken by India to improve the ease of doing business, including technology-based solutions to address the social and economic challenges. Prime Minister invited BRICS business leaders to participate in India’s developmental journey.
Prime Minister noted that Covid had highlighted the importance of resilient and inclusive supply chains, and emphasized the importance of mutual trust and transparency for this.
He also stressed that together BRICS can contribute significantly to global welfare, particularly of the Global South.
AYUSH
Prime Minister confers Yoga Awards, Releases commemorative postal stamps on great Master Healers of AYUSH
launches 10 AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres
Yoga is an insurance of health: Shripad naik
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi conferred Yoga awards to the winners of PM’s Award for Outstanding Contribution for Promotion and Development of Yoga today at New Delhi. These awards were announced during the International Day of Yoga, 2019 at Ranchi, along with the two winners of the previous year in an event being organized by the Ministry of AYUSH.
The PM also released a set of 12 commemorative postal stamps complementing the commitment of the Ministry of AYUSH to acknowledge the great work and achievements of the great Master Healers of AYUSH Systems. The Prime Minister also launched 10 AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres  located in Haryana, in line with Ministry of AYUSH’s commitment to make 12,500 AHWCs functional in next three years.
Winners of the year 2019 Yoga Awards are - Swami Rajarshi Muni of Life Mission, Gujarat in Individual-National category, Ms. Antonietta Rozzi, Italy in Individual-International category, Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, Bihar in Organisation-National category, and Japan Yoga Niketan, Japan in Organisation-International Organisation category and Winners of 2018 Yoga Awards are Shri Vishwas Mandalik, Nasik, Individual- National category and the Yoga Institute, Mumbai, Organisation – National category.
The Prime Minister said, necessary improvements are being brought in for roping in more and more professionals in not only in the field of modern medicine, but also the AYUSH. He also praised the idea of AYUSH grid, which will help remove a number of silos in this sector. Shri Modi said, the government is keeping AYUSH in mind while planning over 1.5 lakh wellness centres in the country. Of the 12.5 thousand AYUSH wellness centres planned, around four thousand are likely to be opened within this year, he said.
Minister of State  for AYUSH Shri Shripad Yesso Naik congratulated the awardees on getting Prime Minister’s Yoga awards. He said that Yoga is an insurance of health for which we don’t have to pay money. Recalling the contribution of the great visionaries of the field, the Minister said, “The contributions of these master healers are unparalleled. Releasing these postal stamps with such grace, respect and beauty is one way to pay homage for their passion towards the science, dedicated health services towards the humanity. They worked hard as young people, to overcome challenge of limited resources and contributed immensely to the human kind. Today they are national pride.”
The Minister said that the Prime Minister takes special interest in AYUSH system. It was his initiative that Ministry of AYUSH will run 10% of the 1.5 lakh health and wellness centres across the country as part of Ayushman Bharat. He further elaborated that these Centres will be complementing the National Health Policy 2017 that insisted upon integration and mainstreaming of AYUSH services in conventional health care delivery system.
Ministry of Railways
Modernisation of Railways
In the Union Budget 2019-20, it was estimated that an investment of ₹ 50 lakh crores would be needed for railway infrastructure between 2018-2030. Railway projects are not conceived/executed on State/Union Territory basis.
Investment in Railways is mobilised from a mix of sources including budgetary and extra budgetary resources through institutional finance and Public Private Partnership . A part of investment in the area of completion of tracks, rolling stock manufacturing and delivery of passenger/freight services is envisaged through PPP.
Around 1250 stations have been identified for upgradation under Adarsh Railway Station Development Scheme across all the states.
Steps taken to utilize various environmental friendly technologies include:
- Use of Renewable Energy i.e. Solar Power and Wind Power – At present Indian Railways  utilizes about 202 megawatt  of renewable power.
- Provision of energy efficient Light Emitting Diode  lighting - 100% railway stations, service buildings and about 89% of residential quarters have been provided with LED lights.
- Provision of Bio-toilets in coaches- Nearly 2,30,000 Bio-toilets have been installed in 64,000 passenger coaches.
- Blending Bio-Diesel with High Speed Diesel  – Blending of 5% Bio-Diesel in HSD for diesel locomotive was started in June, 2015
Some of the steps taken to reduce losses in Railways include :
- Operational efficiencies through running longer and heavier trains.
- Formulation of policies for non-fare revenue generation.
- Monetization of surplus land through Rail Land Development Authority .
This information was given by the Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Hearing Impaired Cricket Player Krishna Gowda Wins Many Awards, Medals and Certificates for His Spectacular Sporting Abilities
Young Krishna Kumar Gowda, a hearing impaired cricket player, with his spectacular sporting abilities has won many accolades and proved that sky is the limit for him. Since childhood, he was fond of playing cricket. Sensing his passion for this game, his parents encouraged him to pursue his cricketing dreams. He got an opportunity to play cricket from his school. He represented his school both at State and National level. His team became Champion in Maharashtra Deaf T-20 Cricket in 2019. He has received many awards, medals and certificates. He has been playing cricket since last 15 years.
Krishna was born in Mumbai on 14th September, 1997. He belongs to a middle class family. Both of his parent’s work in private sector. He is the eldest son with a younger brother. He is hearing impaired since birth.
He studied in Speech & Hearing School in Mumbai till 1st Standard. Later, his school teacher suggested his parents to shift him to a normal school. He was admitted to Podar School, Santacruz. He completed his studies till 11th Standard. He is an ex-student of DTP Course at Ali Yavarjung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disability [AYJNISHD] , Mumbai.
Krishna’s main aim and dream is to play cricket. His dedication towards playing cricket has made him succeed further. He has climbed the ladder and got selected to play in Deaf Premier League . He will be representing Maharashtra in the year 2022. He has joined Air India Sports Club from where he will get training and guidance.
Apart from playing, he has become financially independent by getting a job at Amazon and receiving a salary of Rs. 10,000/- per month. He is showing his skills at workplace too. His dedication towards work will definitely take him to higher levels in professional arena.
This young boy can be a role model for others. He has shown hearing impaired community that ‘Yes, the deaf can’. He is definitely going to represent our country and play at International level. One day, he will make India proud for sure.
Ministry of Railways
ER’S B R SINGH HOSPITAL VACCINATES 5722 PERSONS WITH COVISHIELD
Kolkata, March 30, 2021
B R Singh Hospital, Eastern Railway , Sealdah has started COVID vaccination as a part of the nation-wide vaccination drive which commenced from January 27, 2021.
Till date, the hospital vaccinated 5722 beneficiaries with Covishield vaccine including 1324 healthcare workers, 926 RPF personnel and about 1000 beneficiaries from above 60 years or co-morbidity category . Besides the railway beneficiaries, the hospital has vaccinated 1500 Kolkata Police personnel till date.
Besides, 858 healthcare workers, 420 Kolkata Police personnel, 62 RPF staff are fully vaccinated with the second dose of COVID vaccine till now.
Presently, the hospital is vaccinating RPF personnel, healthcare workers, frontline workers from Kolkata Police, polling personnel and beneficiaries aged 60 years and above and those aged 45 – 59 years with co-morbidity. Vaccination of all the other Railway frontline staff and all the beneficiaries aged above 45 years is scheduled to be commencing from April 1, 2021 onwards.
For the age specific category , registration in COWIN Portal is mandatory and all the beneficiaries must carry their respective Government Photo ID Card  original & photocopy. Henceforth, NO CO-MORBIDITY CERTIFICATE WILL BE REQUIRED from 1st April, 2021 onwards as in the wake of second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, ER has taken immediate action to vaccinate all the serving employees and retired employees forthwith to combat the spread of CoronaVirus.
To escalate the vaccination drive, ER is presently expanding the existing vaccination centre at B R Singh Hospital and augmenting manpower to cater vaccination services to nearly 1000 beneficiaries per day, informed the ER authority.